Method for timing a sports competition in different sites

Abstract

A timing method for a sports competition at the same time on different sites (4) around the world. In a first phase, all time bases of the timing devices, of a start coordinator device (3) and of each site are synchronised. Next, a measurement of the transmission times between the start coordinator device and each site is performed to determine a maximum transmission time. The start coordinator device establishes a start time equal to the time of the date of each site and while adding a time difference longer than the determined maximum transmission time. The start time is adapted to each site where the competition takes place to automatically order, by each timing device, the start of the competition at the same time on each site and on the base site of the start coordinator device to have a sports competition taking place live on all competition sites.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is claiming priority based on European Patent Application No. 20183895.0 filed on Jul. 3, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirely by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a method for timing a sports competition with participants on different sites. Preferably, the sites are far enough from each other and scattered around the world.[0003]The invention also relates to a timing system for the implementation of the timing method.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]In general, international sports competitions imply performing different trips and crowd meetings. There is now a tendency to organize off-site events with athletes and spectators scattered around the world. In order to preserve the competition spirit, the athletes must compete against each other in real-time as if they were in the same stadium.[0005]However, the management of such competitions on different sites g...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system for synchronizing the timing devices of different sports sites in real-time using a single start coordinator device. This allows for real-time starting of the different sports competitions, allowing for better visual and auditory views for spectators. The start signals for each sport are locally based on a GPS reference, ensuring accurate timing and reliability. The system is particularly useful for sports that are not significantly impacted by weather conditions. The goal is to have the start time on each site be as close to the estimated maximum transmission delay between all sites and the start coordinator device as possible, creating the appearance of a real-time start within a tenth of a second.

Problems solved by technology

However, the management of such competitions on different sites gives rise to the problem of accuracy and validity of the time of each participant once the finish line is crossed.

The same race start for each participant on the different sites cannot guarantee the accuracy of the time of each participant, because the time bases of the different chronometers are not necessarily calibrated or synchronised and depend on the weather conditions of the race location.

In addition, since starts are given on different sites which may be very far apart from each other, the transmission delays, which may be variable, are not generally taken into account.

Thus, synchronous starts cannot be given to provide real-time information, via the internet, to both the participant and the spectator viewing the race.

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